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College of Medicine recognizes 34 graduate students for achievements, contributions to campus community

Penn State College of Medicine recognized 34 graduate students for their outstanding academic and research achievements and contributions to the campus community.

Read more about the awards and which students received them:

Charles W. Hill Graduate Excellence Award

Dr. Charles “Chuck” Hill was one of the original faculty of the Department of Biological Chemistry, now Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, at Penn State College of Medicine.

Arriving in 1969, Hill was a “triple threat,” respected for his research, leadership and teaching. His success in making very difficult material readily understandable and mentoring students through the rigors of becoming successful independent scientists was legendary throughout the College.

Upon his retirement in 2000 and in tribute to his dedication to the success of graduate students, the faculty of this department endowed the Charles W. Hill Graduate Excellence Award as a yearly recognition for an outstanding graduate student in the department.

2021 recipient:

  • Emily Schleicher

Patrick G. Quinn Award for Outstanding Performance by a Post-Comprehensive PhD

Dr. Patrick G. Quinn was a professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology for 26 years. This award is given to a candidate in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology in his memory.

2021 recipient:

  • Gregory Kincheloe

Richard J. Courtney Graduate Student Award

This award is named for Dr. Richard Courtney, former chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, distinguished educator and professor emeritus. Courtney was a highly esteemed and cherished leader, investigator and teacher at Penn State College of Medicine, recruited in 1991 as professor and chair. He retired in early 2012 and touched many lives during those 20 years. Colleagues described him as a generous and self-effacing man who, through his gentle demeanor, wise counsel and unwavering commitment to science and education, became a mentor to students and associates alike.

2021 recipients:

  • Natella Maglakelidze
  • Megan McGinley

Graduate Alumni Society Award

This honor is awarded to individuals who have achieved the milestones of their degree expectations and have additionally provided their colleagues and our community with examples of involvement above and beyond the expected.

2021 recipients:

  • Caroline Chang
  • Ashna Dhoonmoon
  • Adam Fike
  • Xupeng Hong
  • Michelle Jennette
  • Spencer Katz
  • Wenxue Lin
  • Natella Maglakelidze
  • Maryknoll Palisoc
  • Mallory Peterson
  • Kushal Saha
  • Emily Schleicher
  • Biyi Shen
  • Tanay Thakar
  • Luke Urbanik

Graduate Alumni Endowed Scholarship

This honor recognizes students who have made contributions to the campus that had a positive impact on their graduate colleagues and classmates.

2021 recipients:

  • Ashna Dhoonmoon
  • Mariam Melkumyan
  • Angela Snyder

Karl H. Beyer Jr., MD, PhD, Scholarship

This award is given to students who show dedication to the enrichment of their academic area of interest, as well as for their contributions to the campus, the community and their disciplines.

2021 recipients:

  • Rebecca Fleeman
  • Matthew Lauver
  • Monica Manglani
  • Dillon McDevitt
  • Greer McKendrick
  • William Miller
  • Anna Ricci
  • Xi “Ada” Wang

Graduate Student Research Forum Leadership Award

This award is given for leadership and dedication to providing all graduate students and graduate faculty with an opportunity to share their research in the Graduate Student Research Forum.

2021 recipients:

  • Darren Mehay
  • Claire Werner

Graduate Student Career Day Leadership Award

This award is given for leadership and dedication to providing all graduate students and post-docs with an opportunity to meet with professionals for career guidance and networking opportunities during the 2021 Career Day.

2021 recipients:

  • Joseph Cirilo
  • Rebecca Fleeman

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